James powers Cleveland to win over Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES: LeBron James scored 41 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a nine-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 98-95 on Sunday.
James had 14 points in the fourth quarter when the Cavaliers, who trailed 84-75, rallied to win for the eighth time in 10 games.
"We played another great game," James told reporters. "We've been playing extremely well the last two months and once again we continue to play well, we continue to defend, and that's what gives us a chance to win."
Bryant had 33 points for the Lakers, who lost their third in a row.
Los Angeles had the ball for the final nine seconds but could not get a shot off until Bryant, after a pass from Luke Walton, launched a 3-point attempt after the buzzer.
Walton said he had hoped to take the final shot.
"I fumbled the ball a little bit, wasn't aware the clock was as low as it was and as soon as I passed it back to Kobe, I realized that that was a mistake and unfortunately it cost us big," he said.
James said Cleveland's defense in the final seconds won the game.
"For us to play the defense that we did and not even give them a shot was great by everybody who was on the court," James said.
Bryant said he was unhappy with the chances the Lakers have given away in recent games.
"We just have stretches of mental lapses, putting teams on the free throw line when you have a good cushion, giving them these opportunities to get back in the game," he said.
Bryant had 12 rebounds and six assists to go with his 33 points. Lamar Odom was the only other Laker in double figures, taking 14 points.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
The game was delayed for 12 minutes in the first quarter after raindrops began falling from the roof.
Hedo Turkoglu's game-ending 3-pointer led the Orlando Magic to a 96-93 home win over the NBA-leading Boston Celtics, who lost for the fifth time in 10 games. Turkoglu finished with 27 points and Dwight Howard added 18 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Paul Pierce had 24 points for the Celtics, playing without Kevin Garnett who is sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Powered by Al Jefferson's 40 points and 19 rebounds, the Minnesota Timberwolves handed the New Jersey Nets a ninth consecutive loss, 98-95.
Agencies
(China Daily 01/29/2008 page22)
